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Originally Posted by ono87
Just returned from my Fiji GT/Dogtooth trip, had a chance to test the BD200 and the Yamaga Atlas 76/8. First of they were a bit light for the the fish I was after, and I did get broken off on the reefs more than once. That being said they are great rods. I used the 76/8 about 60% of the time, cast great, easy on the back when fighting fish, good deal of backbone for such a light rod. Did manage to land the largest GT of the trip around 35-37kg without to much of a problem, but got reefed on a Dogtooth estimated at 60-70 kg while using 12-13 kg of drag. On a side note, some Aussie jiggers were there and were broken off using PE 8 rods and 14-15 kg of drag, big scary fish in these waters. The BD200 can cast great distances, has a beautiful parobolic bend and is way to light to fish for GT's in shallow water. Had to break off two absolute monster GT's estimate over 40kg's, could not stop them with PE8 and 12kg of drag, bend the rod like a noodle. How does it relate to BFT popping, I really don't know since I have used Carpenter DJ 83ML and a United Graphite 30-50 lbs custom popping rod for YFT. I will post some pictures of my trip when I have the time.
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Glad you had what sounds like an awesome time!
Remember though, drags stop fish not rods. Crank up the drag to the max your line can handle, drop the rod tip so that it points straight at the fish and palm the reel with a gloved hand for all you can stand. The additional amount of force that the rod provides over the drag no matter what it's angle to the fish is literally insignificant. We only fools ourselves to think so as more weight comes on the angler when you pull back on the rod.
The Angler himself feels more pressure with the tip raised, not the fish. Only the drag can apply stopping power and the drag setting is all the fish feels. Any rod can be fished well over its rating for max drag, as long as you drop the tip when the fish runs or use less drag when the rod gets over a 45degree angle and the fish is not moving towards you when you try and pump. If the tip is dropped when the fish runs you could use any rod no matter how lightweight because the connection to the fish is straight onto the reel and the rod has little or no stress. It's only when you pump in the fish that you cannot use a drag setting over the designed specs. This is very different from what you can do
when trying to stop the fish.
If the fish is so powerful that it
cannot be pumped in with 13kg of drag then yes, a given rod is too light. That Tuna or GT does not commonly swim in the Pacific (unless you got into a Giant BFT), though there are many that cannot be stopped with 13kg of drag. It's a significant difference when fish push our gear to the limit.
Gratz again on a fabulous trip, looking forward to your pics!
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